Out of the past 9/10/03

10 years ago: Sept. 10, 1993

Nearly $500,000 in airport improvements are slated for this fall and early next year, thanks to state block grant awarded recently to city of Cape Girardeau; money will go toward completion of terminal building renovation, acquisition of aircraft rescue and fire-fighting equipment, and water line construction and ramp reconstruction.

Historic Preservation Commission hopes state grant will enable it to draft blueprint for local preservation efforts; city council has signed off on grant application to Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Historic Preservation Program; grant would provide more than $15,000 to identify historic structures in city and encourage their preservation.

25 years ago: Sept. 10, 1978

The Rev. Gary D. Byrkit is installed as senior minister of First Christian Church during morning worship service; Byrkit began his duties July 1, after having served four years in dual capacity as associate minister here and minister of First Christian Church of Chaffee, Mo.

Crowd of more than 3,000 attends air show sponsored by Cape Girardeau Pilots Club at Municipal Airport; exhibits include model aircraft, experimental planes, home-built aircraft in various stages, older vintage planes and helicopters; club is assisted in putting on show by Chapter 453 of Experimental Aircraft Association.

50 years ago: Sept. 10, 1953

At special meeting city council approves salary of $450 per month for Lyman Harrison, city engineer, increase of $65 monthly from $385 he had been receiving since his employment to succeed his son, Robert L. Harrison.

Cape Girardeau airman is among 944 Americans who U.N. Command charges are being held by communists in Korea; he is Capt. Archie P. Trantham, whose wife lives at 1502 Independence; she receives telegram from Air Force informing her that her husband's name is included in list turned over to communists with demand for their release or accounting of them.

75 years ago: Sept. 10, 1928

Attention of Girardeans has been attracted by bright light that now beams from top of dome on Academic Hall at Teachers College; new light is 500-watt electric lamp that replaces three 200-watt lights, which formerly illuminated from top of building; those who have viewed light from new traffic bridge say it shines in darkness like a star.

Formal authority has been granted to Farmington interests to junk Saline sector of Cape Girardeau Northern Railway; permission was obtained from Missouri Public Service Commission, although rail service on line hasn't been carried on for several years; this section of road was sold several months ago through receivership proceedings to J.P. Cayce and associates of Farmington.

-- Sharon K. Sanders